There are some moments of sublimity here. ‘Plaything’ is the standout, but also ‘Bed of Nails’ and perhaps the trip-hoppy ‘Deeper’ and ‘Reach a Bit Further’.

Reach too much further, though, and the album loses its edge and replaces it with vibronic melodrama that starts to take itself a tad seriously. By midway through the album, I was more interested in finding puns for my review than actually tapping my feet. I barely noticed ‘Invisible’. ‘Albatross’ was a chore. ‘Burning’ had me blushing.

After some promising moments, the end couldn’t come soon enough.

Given the high points, ‘pretentious’ would be too cruel a word. But this album, and this band, is not for me. Sorry.

Recommended? If you like Massive Attack (I do) and Rufus Wainwright (I don’t), then Smother could be right up your alley.